
The New York Auto Show is one of the largest venues of the year, both in size and importance, for automakers. While the Geneva Show is the place where European brands go to show off their Euro-spec rigs, the New York Show is one of the go-to sites for automakers that want to show off their latest wares for the U.S. market.
Introductions

Subaru is just about to redesign its entire lineup, and the 2017 Impreza is the first to boast this new design language. This model not only has a new look, but it is also 1.6 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider, and 0.4 inches lower than the 2016 model. Also included is a revised 2-liter four-cylinder that produces 152 horsepower—a 4-horsepower increase over the 2016 model.

Infiniti’s Limited badge is moving to the QX70, and the automaker revealed the crossover at the 2016 New York Auto Show. This model gains a unique fascia, LED daytime running lights, a new grille, body-color air vents, dark-finish mirror caps and taillights, a stainless-steel rear bumper protector, 21-inch rollers, and a more upscale cabin.

More changes are in store for the Nissan GT-R as we enter the 2017 model year. Not only does it get a new look that includes an updated grille, front splitter and bumper, a reinforced hood, and a better-appointed cabin, but it also gains 20 extra horsepower and 4 more pound-feet of torque, putting it at 565 horsepower and 467 pound-feet of twist.

The Grand Cherokee is fundamentally unchanged for 2017, but it gains a new Trailhawk model that is ready to travel off the beaten path. It handles off-road travel with its Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system, electronic limited-slip diff, a specially developed Quadra-Lift air suspension, and more.

Enthusiasts have been begging for a hardtop version of the Miata, and Mazda sort of obliged with the unveiling of the MX-5 Retractable Fastback in New York. This model features a fastback-like roofline with a retractable targa top to satisfy both those who want a coupe and those who feel that the Miata has to be a convertible.

The Audi R8 received a complete redesign just a few months back, but it lacked a convertible version. At the 2016 New York Auto Show, the German automaker revealed this drop-top version of the 540-horsepower supercar.

We already learned all about the Camaro ZL1 and its 640-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine. At the New York Auto Show, the muscle car blew its top with the debut of the convertible version. In addition to the new, more powerful engine, the ZL1 convertible also gains a 10-speed auto transmission.
*Pictured: 2016 Chevrolet Corvette

The U.K. already has the Outlander PHEV in its market, but we are getting our first taste of it in New York. Mitsubishi was secretive on its U.S. specs, but we suspect it’ll cross the pond unchanged. This would mean a 32-mile range, up to 156 mpg-e, and around 203 horsepower.

For 2017, the Mirage lineup gains a new sedan model that boasts the G4 suffix. This rig shares the hatchback’s 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, transmissions, and outstanding fuel economy. Oddly enough, it does not share the hatchback’s design cues.

We’ve already seen the Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet, and its big brother, the C63 Cabriolet, debuted at the 2016 New York Auto Show. This model comes with a 4-liter biturbo V8 that features a pair of tunes including a 469-horsepower base version and a 503-horse S variant. The former hits 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds while the latter is 0.1 seconds quicker.

The entire Acura lineup is due for a refresh, and it is apparently starting with the biggest vehicle of the group: the MDX. The refreshed MDX loses the infamous Acura beak-style grill and gains a new diamond pentagon grille, plus it gets refreshed Jewel Eye headlights, new fog lights, a new rear bumper, and new tailpipes. The biggest change to the MDX, however, is the introduction of the 325-horsepower Sport Hybrid model.

The redesigned Prius is gaining a new plug-in variant for the 2017 model year that carries the Prime name. This model gains a larger 8.8 kWh battery that allows it to travel up to 22 miles on electric power alone. The electric motors pairs with a 1.8-liter engine to deliver an estimated fuel-economy rating of 120 mpg-e. This model also gains a slew of new features, the most notable being an 11.3-inch center console display.

The luxurious Kia Cadenza will receive a full redesign for 2017 and the automaker launched this restyled model in New York. The 2017 Cadenza features an all-new body that is a little wider and lower while its wheelbase is a tad longer for added rear-seat legroom. This redesigned sedan carries on with a 290-ish-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 that mates to a new eight-speed auto transmission.

The Buick Encore also showed off some new duds at the 2016 New York Auto Show. This revised body and cabin give the tiny people carrier a more upscale look by visually widening it. Under its hood, the small Buick continues with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but its output is not yet available.

While the GMC Terrain remains unchanged as a whole, it does gain a new Nightfall Edition package that adds in 18-inch aluminum rims with gloss-black spokes, a charcoal grille with a gloss-black surround, gloss-black accents on the front and rear fascia, gloss-black mirror caps and roof rails, and more.

Volkswagen sets its sights on Subaru with an all-wheel-drive wagon of its own called the Alltrack. Based on the Golf Sportwagen, this all-weather machine features a slightly higher ride height, protective body cladding, and 4MOTION all-wheel drive to take on all Mother Nature can throw at it.

The Sonic was in sore need of a full redesign, but this refresh for 2017 will have to do for now. The subcompact hatchback gains a new front end that includes updated headlights, bumper, and hood. Around back, the rear fascia is all new as well. The Sonic also gains new features like a power driver’s seat, keyless entry and starting, heated seats and steering wheel, and more.

While we learned about the range-topping Giulia a while back, we just learned about the other trims—base and Ti—at the New York Auto Show. These models include a 276-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a new eight-speed auto transmission that complement the snarling V6 in the range-topping model well.

With Scion dying off in August, the FR-S will move to the Toyota nameplate and change its name to the 86. In addition to the name change, the new 86 gains a new front end that boasts an updated lower air inlet. What’s more, models with the six-speed manual transmission will get a power boost to 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class got the AMG treatment in New York with the debut of the AMG GLC43. This model boasts a 3-liter biturbo V6 with 362 horsepower and a nine-speed auto transmission in addition to its AMG styling bits.
News
World Car Awards: At the 2016 New York Auto Show, the World Car Awards were handed out. The 2016 Toyota Mirai won the Green Car Award, the 2016 BMW 7 Series took home the Luxury Car Award, the Audi R8 won the Performance Car Award, and the Mazda MX-5 won the coveted World Car of the Year and the Design of the Year awards.
Jaguar to Resurrect the XKSS: Much like it did with the E-Type in 2014, Jaguar is recreating a limited number of the “world’s first supercar,” the XKSS. Like the last revival project, these cars will feature all of the components found in the car decades ago.
Trends
Mixed Bag: The 2016 New York Auto Show was as popular as ever, and as usual, there was no theme to this show. Every automaker brought their latest and greatest to the Big Apple, including less newsworthy items like accessory packages to huge unveilings like the VW Alltrack.